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Three more cases of E.coli linked to a children's petting farm were confirmed today.
The Health Protection Agency said the number of people reporting symptoms of the potentially fatal O157 strain of the infection linked to Godstone Farm, in Surrey, has risen to 79.
Four children remain in hospital in a stable condition. The agency has said it expected people to continue coming forward with symptoms for a period of time, in part because of the bug's delayed incubation period.
Tests have confirmed the E.coli bug was present in animal droppings collected from Godstone.
Of 102 samples taken by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, 33 contained the bug.
Positive samples came from ewes, lambs, pigs, goats, cattle, ponies and rabbits, but not the pond water or sand from the sandpit. A total of four farms have closed their doors since the outbreak came to light at Godstone, where the earliest link to infection was traced back to 8 August.
The three other farms are: Horton Park Children's Farm, in Epsom, the sister farm to Godstone; White Post Farm in Nottinghamshire; and the World of Country Life farm, in Exmouth, Devon.
At least two victims of the outbreak are already taking legal action against the owners of Godstone through solicitors Russell Jones and Walker. And solicitor Jill Greenfield has also been instructed by a girl's relatives to pursue a negligence claim.
Among those taking action are the parents of three-year-old Alfie Weaver, who was in hospital with kidney failure, and Clare Zahra, who ended up in hospital after passing blood.
Lawyers say payouts could cost up to a million pounds depending on how negligent the farm was in letting customers visit when animals were infected.
